just ask

I'm all about the purging right now, the purging of junk and unused items that it. I hate clutter. It bothers me when things overflow or don't line up perfectly.

This is driving me crazy:

the hubs basket to keep his keys, wallet, and every other possession in the world apparently till it's spilling its contents everywhere

Since I've been in this mood I've been collecting things around the house that I don't use and making a yard sale pile. My friend Allison is having a yard sale on the 11th before she moves into her rental house and she asked if I'd like to join. Heck yea!

I decided to go through my closet and pick through my clothes. I have half a bag to take to consignment when they start accepting fall clothes on the 18th. I tried to take them to Plato's Closet but apparently my Ralph Lauren button downs and Banana Republic tops are just too sophisticated for them.

While perusing the closet I fell upon my box of white Justin cowboy boots. I bought the boots to wear with my wedding dress but opted for flip flops instead. They've been sitting in the box for over two years, never worn and never even opened. That's when I had a thought. Maybe I could take them back to the store and ask for some sort of store credit.

The hubs needed new work boots so he took my brand-new-still-in-the-box boots to the store. He didn't think they would take them back seeing as they had been in my closet for so long, but miraculously, they gave him full price for them! If you live in the Columbia area and are looking for new boots, go to Pistol Creek. They are amazing!

Moral of the story: it never hurts to ask.

what I've been up to

Friday:
We met a friend at Tsunami's for dinner. I'm not a fan of the restaurant seeing as I don't eat sushi. I ended up having the hibachi teriyaki chicken which in my opinion is a bit expensive for something that makes me feel terribly bloated afterwards. At least the company was good.

Saturday:
I went shopping at Old Navy and nearly bought one of everything in the store. The hubs worked half a day moving equipment and earned some quick cash. I spent less than he earned so it all worked out hehe.

That afternoon we went out on the lake with our friends Bryan and Jessica and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Even though we have our own boat, we haven't gone out on the lake much seeing as it's currently in a non-floatable state (i.e. the hubs has been fixing and remodeling). It was very relaxing to float in the water with drink in hand and enjoy the company of friends.

We continued the fun with dinner at Pawley's Front Porch, my new favorite burger place. It definitely deserved its feature on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Drives. Yum!

Sunday:
The hubs went to work moving equipment again and I piddled around the house. I did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen, emptied the trash, cleaned the litter boxes, and picked up around the house. i also finished photoshopping our friend Robin's bridal portraits. I'm very excited with how they came out. I plan on starting a photography blog with our work on there very soon.

And that's what I've been up to...

poor pup

Last night I noticed one of Shiloh's toes was all swollen. The hubs thought it might be an ant bite and we went to bed. This morning I checked on it again and it was still just as big. Since the hubs had the day off he took her to the vet. A mere $95 later she looks like this:

Don't let her fool you. She knows how to play the pity card well.

See she's fine. She does have an infection and is on some antibiotics and lots of benedryl. 

And I'm pretty sure she's content staying inside with the air conditioning while Ella is stuck outside.

expanding my mind

If you know me at all, you know I have a great love for trashy tv and facebook stalking. After using my noodle all day (well, most of the day) I love entertainment that takes no effort. While I'm  still going to continue these habits I've decided I need to get back into reading.

I used to love a good book. I was constantly reading until the fateful day that it all stopped. I would read on the bus ride home. It was the perfect way for me to disappear from the cruel world of middle school, until one day I was so into my book I missed my bus stop. If the kids weren't already mean enough, that certainly gave them extra ammo. By the time the bus driver had back tracked to drop me off I was a hot mess of tears.

It's sad, but that's a day I'll never forget. Reading was no longer enjoyable. I didn't want to read another book unless I had to for school. I took to staring out the window, which truthfully still didn't protect me from harassment.

Don't get me wrong. I have read some books on my own over the years. How can one go on a beach trip without a trashy romance novel? It just can't be done I tell you! But that's what I'd limit it to, beach trip reading. Time for a change. I've read on plenty of other's blogs their reading lists for 2010. Some have goals to read 5, 10, 15 (!) books in a year.

While this is a bit late for a yearly goal, it's a start. I finally finished reading 4% Famous, which of course I started during our beach trip. It was a big bowl full of meh including shoulder shrug. I couldn't get into it, but I couldn't ditch it either.

Next up is The Cheer Leader. Honestly I have no idea where this book came from. I was looking on the book shelf in our guest room and picked it up. When I asked the hubs about it, he thought it was from a college english class he took and he never read it. Although he was quick to point out that he still received an A in the class...the booger. I'll let you know how this one turns out.

DCI = best diet ever

Little brother did DCI, Drum Corp International, this summer. He lost over 30 lbs. Yea I'm pretty jealous. I also look like an elephant next to him.

before:

and after:

he also got the world's best tan

my husband

Yep, I married him.

outfits

Anyone else ready for fall clothes? My inbox is filled with all of the back to school specials and sales and I'm just dying to fill up my virtual shopping cart. Just seems a bit backwards to buy boots and sweaters when it'll still be over 80 here for at least two more months.

jean jacket - Gap

blue top - Banana Republic

brown trousers - Gap

cardigan - Express

dress - Gap

white jean jacket - Kohl's

tangerine tank - NY&Co.

black crop pants - Banana Republic

white jean jacket - Kohl's

navy long tshirt - Gap

floral skirt - American Eagle

olive dress - boutique in Indiana

white cami - American Eagle

lime top - Belk

blue pants - Old Navy

jean jacket - Gap

purple dress - Banana Republic

teal tank - J Crew

the future of america

My bestie, Tiger Teacher, teaches 5th grade. She sent me this today:

What is she teaching these kiddos?!? Bwahahaha!

I asked her what the correct answer was supposed to be and she replied, "important."

Ummm, close?

LBD

The hubs and I were talking in the car on the way to dinner last night. The subject of bridesmaid dresses came up.

Robin, Shannon, and Candie having fun before our wedding

Me: I know brides like to always say that the bridesmaid dress they picked out can be worn again, but Shannon and Robin actually have worn their dresses again.

Hubs: Yea, I wouldn't be surprised if Candie has too.

Me: If you take the purple sash off it's just a little black dress.

Hubs: Everybody needs an LBD.

Me: Seriously...did you really just say that?

Should I be impressed or concerned that my husband knows what an LBD is? Either way I thought it was hysterical and burst out laughing.

the big 3-0

My bestie Shannon turns the big 3-0 in September. What's more fitting for a girl who turns 30 than an 80s party? Mix some awesome fashion with 80s rock and roll and all of our crazy friends and you're sure to have a good time.

Here's the invitation that I designed:

obviously some info was changed so no one could crash our get together

I'm pretty excited and have already started thinking about what I want to wear. 

ice cream table

Awhile ago the hubs brought home a set of table and chairs from his parents' house that was doomed to rust in the backyard if they weren't rescued. He remembered sitting at it as a little boy and eating ice cream which would explain why we call it the ice cream table. I gave it a little TLC so one day our kids can sit at it and eat ice cream.

hubs fixed one of the chairs with some quick welding...he's so handy

I gave everything a good scrubbing

and then a couple coats of fresh paint

I used the old seat covers to make a template for the new ones

the material is marine vinyl which I thought would do the best against rain and sunshine bought from my Jo-Ann's

start stapling

and staple more

one complete!

onto the next

second one done

the finished product

turkey burgers

Here's the weight watchers turkey burger recipe I'm obsessed with. It's 4 points and 210 calories per burger.

1 lb ground turkey
1 onion, finely chopped
1/4 c. & 2 tbps bread crumbs
3 tbps minced parsley
3 tbps low fat mayo
1 tbsp minced basil (or 1 tsp dried)
2 tsp spicy mustard
1/2 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients in bowl. I found it best to just dig in and use your hands. One pound of ground turkey makes 4 patties for us, but you can make them as big or as small as you want.

Put on grill {or George Forman for us!} until cooked through. Normally around 8-10 minutes depending on size.

Sorry I don't have any pictures. They're so yummy we ate them all up before I even remembered a camera.

just right

My weekend was busy, but not too busy, just the way I like it.

Saturday the hubs and I got some things done around the house. I cleaned up the inside while he cleaned up the outside. Luckily I'm always paranoid someone might drop by unannounced so I tend to keep the house pretty clean anyway. I'm also a girl who likes everything where it should be.

That afternoon hubs family stopped by for dinner while passing through on their way home from the beach. We also invited my parents over and had a little cookout. I'm in love with this weight watchers turkey burger recipe that I'll have to share. It's super easy.

Sunday we went to church and then helped my parents move my brother's stuff into his new apartment. He's still marching DCI and won't have a spare minute before USC's band camp starts. See, I can be a nice sister.

Sunday ended with a nap, mexican food, and then watching a movie curled up with my kitty. Bliss.

go go power rangers!

So my friend Amanda pointed out something to me during our beach trip. My motorcycle helmet...

...has a slight similarity to Kimberly

Huh, well whatdaya know. I always wanted to be the pink power ranger cause she was obviously the most awesome one and who wants to be icky yellow anyway?

mosquito heaven

Our backyard is covered in these horrible little creatures. Whenever I step back there I am immediately attacked. I went out back to give the dogs a good brushing {I'm a lazy mama and only brush my pups here and there} and in no less than five minutes I was covered in bites!

To remedy this situation we have 12 of these:

One of these:

Two of these:

And a couple cans of this:

I've also heard this can help:

But I'm not all about having major garlic breath so I've been taking these:

I don't think it's working...

20 things about our beach trip

1. Just as I had predicted, our beach trip flew by way too quickly.

2. Also as I had predicted, I rented us a shanty, but not just a regular shanty. This one included Jesus books and a Virgin Mary figurine located next to the wine glasses.

3. It also included 5 cockroaches. I kept count even though Amanda told me not to.

4. The beach was lovely except for the time thunder roared, lightening struck, and God said "get off the beach!"

5. Oh and the jellyfish on Thursday. Luckily I did not get stung, just hubs and bestie.

6. Did you know you're supposed to put vinegar on a jellyfish sting? News to me...

7. I got a tan and lots of freckles came out to say hello. I love my freckles. I think hubs is glad I don't glow in the dark anymore.

8. Spoons is a brutal game especially when you play with two girls who have acrylic nails. No surprise that I always lost.

9. It is possible to cook for an entire week with only a small frying pan, a salad fork, and a pizza pan. Trust.

10. I did not buy any crap at the beach...except a pirate flag, and a couple t-shirts, and a pair of sunglasses...ok so I bought crap.

11. Charleston is my favorite city and I love riding through it on the motorcycle.

12. I could eat my weight in pralines, but we could only afford 1 lb.

13. I cheated on The Blind Horse Saloon with The Market Street Saloon. I even danced on the bar. Shhhh don't tell.

14. Did you know grown men still send over their friends to say hi to a girl for them a la 4th grade?

15. It happened to Megan.

16. Neil was nicknamed Fluffy the Man-child.

17. We climbed the Hunting Island lighthouse and it was totally worth going up 167 steps.

18. I still haven't finished my book 4% Famous, but I at least made a dent.

19. I want a pink beach house.

20. We've agreed to increase the beach trip budget for next year.